SPEECH 



OF 



liOYIi^2s"Oia, liL\XTOX- 



TO THE 



LEGISLATURE 



DF THE STATE OP NEW-YORl^, 



ON THt: 



iSlXTH DAY OF JANUARY, 1819. 



.*' i g O »» w 



ALBANY: 

PRINTED AT THE REGISTER OFFICE, 
1819. 



61503 . 
•05 ? 



123 



^Pl^E^^B^ 



Hentlanen of the Senate and. of the Assemlly, 

A MEETING of the representatives of a free people for 
the purposes of legislation, is, at all times, an event interesting to 
the community and honorat)le to the human character : but its 
importance is greatly enhanced, when they are called upon, by 
the peculiar state of the country, to deliberate and to decide np- 
on subjects intimately associated with its prosperity and its honor, 
and with the cardinal interests of all future generations. Under 
these circumstances you have now assembled, and fortunately at 
a time the most propitious to patriotic views, to wise deliberations 
and to energetic decisions. At no period, within my recollection, 
has the public mind been in a state of greater tranquillity, more 
exempt from the impulses of ambition, and the agitations of fac- 
tion, and more accessible to the influence of reason and of pa- 

triotism. , . , 

Our country is in a state of profound peace, which promises a 
long duration, and even the civilized nations of the eastern hemi- 
sphere have 'sheathed the desolating sword. An enlightened 
and exalted spirit predominates friendly, to the primary interests 
of the state,— to the promotion of agriculture, commerce and the 

arts, to the-encouragement of literature and science, of schools, 

academies, colleges, universities and learned societies— to the 
advancement of those great internal communications which form 
the basis of individual and public wealth, and to the elevation of 
our national character, by works of public snd permanent utility, 
and by acts which consult the welfare and the dignity of the hu- 
man race. In addition to these distinguished advantages, we 
have enjoyed the blessings of a healthy season and of an abun- 
dant harvest ; our seminaries of instruction have increased ia 
usefulness; our population is augmenting beyond all former ex- 
perience ; justice is administered with purity and ability; the 
maiesly of the laws is respected ; the influence of religion and 
morality is spreading : And, after fully estimating those afflic- 
tions, which must be experienced by all human beings, and those 
evils'which are incident to all human institutions, it is not too 
much to say, that we never had more reason to be grateful to the 
Almighty Dispenser of all good. At a period so auspicious, we 
cannot therefore anticipffte disappointment from your delibera- 
tions. As the faithful representatives of the people, possessing 
their confidence, you will not hesitate to obey their voice. And, 
'm discharging an important duty assigned to me by the constitu- 
tion I shall exhibit to you without reserve, but with the most 
profound respect, my views of the policy which ought to be pur- 
sued, of the evils which ought to be corrected, and of the me^- 
iures which ought to be adopted. 



4 

The progress of our iuternal imiirovcnieuU has cquailet] oup 
most sanguine expectations. In ilie course of the next season, 
the Northern Camil, extending from Whitehall at the head of 
Lake Champlain, to Fort Edward, on the Hudson River, a dis- 
tance of twenty-three miles, and the whole of the middle seclion 
of the Western Canal, comprising ninety-four miles, and reachiug 
from the Seneca Uiver to the Mohawk River at Utica, will be 
completed and in a navigable s<ate. Thus, in less thao two 
and a half years, canals to the extent of one hundred and seven- 
teen miles will be perfected : And, as the eastern and western 
sections of the caoal from Lake Erie to Hudson River will be 
about two hundred and sixty miles, it is evident that, by the ap- 
plication of similar means and the exertion of similar powers, the 
whole of this infernal navigation can be fiuished in six years 
from the present period, including also the improvements essen- 
tial on Hudson River, from Fort Edward to the head of sloop 
navigation. It is satisfactory also to know that, so far as we can 
judge from the lights of experience, the actual expenses have not 
exceeded the estimates of the commissioners : And, with all the 
advantages arising from increased knowledge, from improved 
skill aud from circumspect experience, we are firmly persuaded, 
that the aggregate expense will fall short of the total estimate. It 
is also a most gratifying consideration, loliud, that from the pro- 
gressive and flourishing state of the fund appropriated to this ob- 
ject, the whole undertaking can bo completed without providing 
any auxiliary resources and without ini|)Osing any taxes on the 
community. From (he commencement of the next year, the 
finished portions of the canals will be in a stale productive of 
considerable revenue. 

By the act respecting navigable communications between the 
great western and northern lakes and the Atlantic ocean, passed 
the l5fh April, 1817, the commissioners are only empowered to 
make canals between the Mohawk aud Serieca rivers and be- 
tween Lake Champlain and (he Hudson river. Possessing, how- 
ever, under that act and the act to provide for the improvement 
of the internal navigation of the state, passed the 17th A[)ril, 
1816, authority to make (he necessary surveys and to lay out the 
proper routes for the whole of the Western and Northern Canal?, 
they have not overlooked (he latter, although their attention has 
been principally devoted to the former object. By (hat initiatory 
arn;ugement, it was obviously the intention of the Legislature to 
bring the calculations of (he commissioners to (he (ouchs(one of 
experiment and to determine whether the resources of the state 
are adequate to the whole operation. 

This trial has taken jdace in the most satisfactory manner, 
and there cannot exist a doubt of the feasibility of the work or of 
the ability of the state. It is therefore highly expedient (hat a 
law should be passed, during the present session, authorising the 
completion of the whole work as soon as possible. In the course 
of this year, (he routes can be then so far definitively settled as 
to enable (he formation of contracts to take effect in the spring 
9f 1820, by which means a whole year will be saved to the op?- 



o 



ration and the state ^viii have the benefit of experienced contiac 
tors, who miglit, under a different state of things, be emj.Ioyed iu 
other undertiikings. And, when we contemplate Ihe immense 
benttiis which will be derived I'rom the consequent promotion of 
agriculture, manulactures and commerce,— from the acquisition 
of revenue, — from the establishment of character and from the 
consolidation of the federal union, we muet feel ourselves impelled 
by the most commanding motives, to proceed in our honorable 
career, by perfecting with all possible expedition this inland na- 
vigation. . 

At the present period a ton of commoddies can be conveyed 
from Buffalo to Albany by land for one hundred dollars and to 
Montreal, principally by water for tweniy-five. Hence it is ob- 
vious that the whole of the vast region to the west of that flour- 
ishing village, and the greater part of the extensive and fertile 
country east of it, are prevented from sending their productions 
to our commercial emporium and that they must cither resort to 
the precarious markets of Canada, or, to places more distant, less 
accessible or less advantageous. When the great western Canal 
is finished, the expense of transportation from Buffalo to Albany 
^vill not exceed ten dollars a ton. Almost the whole of the as- 
cending trade of the west will be derived from the city of New- 
York, and a great portion of the descending products will accu- 
mulate in that important depot. If half a million of tons are, at 
the present period, transported on the waters of the Hudson river, 
it is reasonable to suppose that the time is not distant, when the 
commodities conveyed on the Canals will be equal in amount. 
A small transit duty will consequently produce an immense in- 
come applicable to the speedy extinguishment of the debt con- 
tracted for the Canals, and to the prosecution of other important 
improvements. . p r . 

In these works, then, we behold the operation of a powerlul 
enaine of finance and of a prolific source of revenue. 

It is certainly more important that the productive clashes of so- 
ciety should have good markets, out of the state, than that they 
should be exclusively confined to indifferent or fluctuating mar- 
kets in it. In the former case, wealth is diffused over the whole 
country, while in the latter, it is limited to a few great towns. A 
wise government ought to encourage commnnications with those 
places, where the farmer and manufacturer can sell at the highest 
and buy at the lowest price. And, as the acquisition of many 
markets encreases the chance of good ones, and diminishes, in 
many instances, the expenses of transportation, and guards against 
the pernicious fluctuations of price, 1 look forward with pleasure 
to the speedy arrival of the time, when the State will be able to 
improve the navigation of the Susquehannah, the Allegany, the 
Genessee and the St. Lawrence,— to assist in connecting the wa- 
ters of the grf at lakes and of the Mississippi,--to form a junction 
between the Western Canal and Lake Ontario by the Oswego 
River, and to promote the laudable intention of Pennsylvania to 
unite the Seneca Lake with the bead waters of the Susquehan- 
pah. 



"■But fliere are oilier anJ more important considerations con 
.iiecled with this subject whicli enter into (he very essence of our 
liberty and pros|»eritf. The gloomy and comfortless doctrine, 
which Bupi)05e8 man incapable of tree government, necessarily 
implies that he must be subject to a bad one, because it presuji- 
poses his utter incompetence to govern either others or himseir. 
In hereditary and elective monarchies and indeed in all govern- 
ments not founded on the broad basis of equal representation, the 
actual ruler is the prime minister of the day, elected from time to 
lime l)y the prince to govern the country. Whether this right of 
••.housing be vested in an hereditary elector, or, in an elector for 
life, appointed by a diet or a conclave, or, in an elector chosen by 
an army of Janissaries, it is clear that it is a faint recognition of 
the representative principle transferred from the body of the peo- 
ple to an irresponsible individual totally unfit, from his situation 
and education, to exercise it with patriotism and intelligence. 
Who then can doubt the superior excellence of a free government, 
its entire eccordance with the dignity of man and its almost ex- 
clusive devotedness to his happiness ? But in the United States 
our liberty and our union are inseparably connected, A (lis- 
rnembermeut of the republic into beparate confederacies would 
necessarily produce the jealous circumspection and hostile prepa- 
rations of bordering states : large standing armies would be imme- 
diately raised; unceasing and vindictive wars would follow, 
and a military despotism would reign triumphant on the ruins of 
civilliberty. A dissolution of the union may therefore be con- 
eidered the natural death of our free government. And to avert 
this awful calamity, all local prejudices and geographical distinc- 
tions should be discarded, the peojile should be habituated to fre- 
quent intercourse and beneficial inter-communication and the 
ivhole Republic ought to be bound together by the golden ties of 
commerce and the adamantine chains of interest. When the 
"Western Canal is finished ami a communication is formed be- 
tween Lake Michigan and the Illinois River, or between the Ohic 
and the waters of Lake Erie, the greater part of the United 
Slates will form one vast island susceptible of circumnavigation 
to the extent of many thousand milas. The most distant parts of 
the confederacy will then be in a state of approximation and the 
dlistinctions of Eastern and Western, of Southern and Northern 
interests will be entirely prostrated. To be instrumental in pro- 
<lucing so much good, by increasing the stock of human hRppi- 
ress, — by establishing the perpetuity of free government and, by 
extending the empire of improvement, of knowledge, of refine- 
ment an<l of religion is an ambition worthy of a free people. The 
most exalted reputation is that which arises from the dispensation 
of happiness to our fellow creatures and that conduct is most ac- 
ceptable to God which is most beneficial to man. Character is 
as important to states as to individuals, and the glory of a republic 
founded on the promotion of the general good is the common pro- 
perly of all its citizens. 

Important however as these improvements are, yet they ought 
cot to engross all our attention nor command all our resources. 



^bere are other objects ot primary consequence which tleiiianii^ 
the raunificeuce ol' the government and, 1 am happy to say that 
simple means are at our disposal. 

The fund appropriated (or the benefit of common schools, con- 
sists of a million of dollars, invested in bank stock, aod in bonds 
and mwt gages, and about eighty thousand acres of laud. Here^ 
lofore sixty thousand dollars have been annually divided among 
the common schools, and at the present period seventy thousand 
may be distributed ; but it is supposed that this cannot be done 
with propriety, in consequence of the varying and increasing state 
of our population until a new census is taken. There is also a con- 
siderable fund denomiuated the Literature fund, and the Regents 
of the Uoiversity distributed, during the last year, among several 
academies, the gum of 4000 dollars, which they will be able to 
i;ontinu«. 

Without advertiRg to a million ofacres of unapproprialed land, 
some of which is very valuable, and the ivhole of Avhich is com- 
petent to the extinguishment of the public debt, it is sufficient to 
observe that the surplus of ordinary revenue beyond the current 
demands of government for the present year, will be about ninety 
thousand dollars, which will be augmented by the payment otthe 
arrearages of taxes seventy thousand dollars, and also by iho 
payment of the debt due from the United States ; so that, without 
taking into view large sums of money which may come iuto the 
Treasury from Other source?, there will be iu all probability three 
hundred thousaod dollars, applicable to objects of public utility. 

The legislature having deemed itexpedieut to apply the avails- 
Of certain lotteries to the encouragement of education, andothen 
beneficial purposes, it was not witnout extreme regret that I have 
observed the credit of those institutions seriously impaired. As 
Ihe payment of prizes is guaranteed by the slate, and is not lim- 
ited as to time, it is hoped that the public confidence will be com- 
pletely restored under the administration of the present managers. 
In ordtr to promote this desirable end, and to mitigate as far as- 
possible the demoralizing effects of lotteries, (which can only be 
accomplishefl by rapid drawing) aod to guard against fraud an<! 
negligence, I have caused cerlaiu instructions to be eommunicat- 
cd to the managers, a copy of which will be laid before you 5 
and it will be expedient for you to protect the lotteries against the 
control of contractors by meana which will be suggested, ant! 
which will be efficacious. 

Having on a former occasion solicited the attention of the Le- 
gislature to the encouragement of agriculture, I have to express 
my regret at the failure of a measure generally admitted to be 
proper and expedient, on account of a difference of opinion as to 
its modification. That this important pursuit is (he foundatiora 
<if wealth, power, and prosperity — that it requires the energies of 
the mind as well as the labors of the body — that it demands the 
Ughtof science to guide its progress, and the munificence of go- 
vernment to acfelerate its movements, to expend its usefulness, 
and to diffuse i(s bicssinj:?, nre positions which cannot be contro- 
vert fd. 



8 

Why shoiiM the countenance of the stale tie retjuired for th^ 
vncouragernent of the arts and sciences in general, and agricul 
tiire, the niudt irnportuut of all arts, the niosl useful of ttll sbieuces, 
be alone proscribed trorn partjcijiation in ita bounty / 

A 8i)irit favorable to this great impruvenieni is rising and 
ppreading in all directions, and wherever it is experienced it car- 
ries in its train extensive and innumeraLle blessings. The So- 
cieties already instituted have, by stinnilaling eniuiation and dif- 
fusing inrormatiwu, elfectfjil great gooil ; an.l if they be assisted 
in their useful and honoral>le careei- by pecuniary appropriations, 
and if a board of agriculture, connec'ed with a course of approjMri- 
ate stuilies, be instituted, we have every reason to believe that 
the most bcueQcial consequeaces will result, in njultiplying the 
products of ihe country — in encrcasini; (he value and ameliorat- 
in;; the quality of our cjtntno'iities — in [»reventing the undue aug- 
m<ntation of the learned professions, and in maintaining (he equi- 
librium of society, by restoring Ihe most important interest, and 
the most nuniiTOiis calling, to itsineritetl iutellectnal rank. The 
Board of Agriculture ought also to l)e invested with authority to 
iiii\ke a statistical survey of tbe state, and to obtain periodical re- 
turns of births, marriages and deaths. A knowledge of our re- 
sources, of our animal, vegetable and mineral [iroducfions, of the 
condition of our agriculture, manufactures and trade, and, gene- 
rally speaking, complete iiilormation of the stale of the country 
v.'ith a view to its amelioration, would t^lFect great improvements 
in the practical pursuits of life, and would open new and impor- 
tant views in the science of political philosa;>by — a science of all 
others the most interesting, and the least uiid^-rslood. Th? spe- 
cial designation of a tund for these objects, either by some of the 
expedients proposed at the list session, or by otliers i\hich can be 
easily devised, is required by every consideration of public spirit 
and public duty. 

In connection with this subject it is proper to remark that the 
reputation of our llour is at such a lo*v ebb in foreign markets, that 
it sells from one and a half to two dollars less by the Oarrel th^ii 
that exported Irom Philadelphia and Baltimore. 'JMiis caunot be 
imputed to the inferiority of the seed — to the sterility of the soil, 
or to its natural inaptitude for such productions. On the contra- 
ry there is reason to believe that wheat is one of our indigenous 
plants, and we are certain that our soil and climate are admirably 
adapted to its growth. The fault niutt be with the farmi r, the 
mauulaoturer, or inspector. The value of a bushel of wheat for 
Ihe last ten years has averaged from one and a half to two dol- 
lars, and the flour inspected in the port of New- York is about 
300,000 barrels a year. The immense loss sustained by the bad 
state of this 8ta|)le commodity requires an efficient remedy. The 
Chamber of Commerce of the city of New- York have instituted 
an enquiry on this subject, and their commendable zeal will, 1 am 
persuaded, prove honorable to their institution, and beneficial to 
thtir country. 

As the prosperity of agriculture is essentially connected with 
ensy and cheap means of transportation, the importance of good 



communications by land, as well as l)y water, cannot escape yoiir 
attention. All roarts leading to navigable rivers and lakes — (o 
cities, towns and villages — to manulacturing establishmenla and 
depositories of produce and merchandize, are eulitled to your 
countenance; and in places of a ditfertnt descviption, where a 
thin and commencing population prevents the extensive and use- 
ful application of individual exertion, there is every inducement 
on your part to encourage the growth ind settlement of the coun- 
try, by opening the means of communication. The improvement 
of old, and the creation of new roads, is at al! times an incumbent 
duty, and a beneficial exercise of power. It cannot have esciip- 

-€d your observation, that in many instances the worst highways 
are in the most ancient and opulent settlements; that several 
turnpikes have injured instead of facilitating intercourse, and that 

the laws on this subject do not reach the sources of the evil. 

In our zeal, however, to establish new and good roads, indifferent 
sections of the country, let us not transcend the limits of private 
right and public utility. It is a novel, and to say the least, a 
questionable exercise of authority, to coerce contributions to the 
slock of Turnpike Companies, and it is apprehended that cases 
have occm-'red where meritorious settlers and nonresident propri- 
etors have grievously suffered by the exaction of assessments to 
open communications artfully contrived for the bene^t pf individu- 
als, without any view to the public accommodation. 

The provision for elementary instruction is so liberal that no 
further pecuniary assistance is required : but your interposition 
in other respects would be attended with decided advantages. 
The most durable impressions <are derived from the first stages of 
education. Ignorant and vicious preceptors, and injudicious and 
ill arranged systems of education, must have a most pernicious 
influence upon the habits, manners, morals, and minds of our 
youth, and may vitiate their conjluct through life; and it is a 
subject no less of regret than astonishment, that, beyond initia- 
tory instruction, the education of the female sex has been utterly 
excluded from the contemplation of our laws. The ex[)ediency 
of instructing teachers in the Lancasterian system and of pro- 
moting its general adoption, has heretofore been intimated to the 
legislature. 

When it is considered ihat education is the guardian of liberty 
and the bulwark of morality, — ajid tliat knowledge and virtue 
are, generally speaking, inseparable companions, and are in the 

■ moral, what light and heat are in the natural world — the illumi- 
nating and vivifying principle. — I trust that I need no apology 
in soliciting an extension of your patronage to the higher semi- 

maries of education. 

In the year 1814, a grant of 200,000 dollars was made to 
Union College — of 40,000 dollars to Hamilton College, and of 
the Botanic Garden on the Island of New- York to Columbia 
Collese, on condition that the establishment be removed to Ihat 
place within twelve years from the time of the donation. It was 
MndouI)tedIy intended that the grant to Columbia College should 
be substantial and beneficial, but it was fettered with a condition 

.linJer the mistaken inipression that a removal of the instiluiion 

2 



10 



wouM he rxpe.llent. The operallon of tins chan-c of pince 
r.u hethe'conv.rsioi. of a city, into a country c<jll.se.and^ 
a consequ-nt .xclu.ion of the youth ol the c.ty ol NewAork 
?roM ils'tM'nef.lB, unless thoy incurre.l sreat «"(! "nnrcessary ex- 
e,.... An.I, H3 many persons ,>rdrr the cducat.on of t c r 
rh '.renin ci>ie., it is uncjuestional.Iy In^t that ^-^r^^-^;^; 
fe<re .houhl continue in its ,.resont po..t.on .n order t .U a 1 he 
Ic^ur^ ...en of the state .n.y be ucco.nn,o.late.l accon hng to hn 
• ns'of their parents. A compliance with the cond.t.on ol he 
o antou^l.t therefore not to he e:ipecte<l ; an.l . ,3 »'or» / '' 
The legislature will look wiih a benign eye upon th.sanc.cnt and 
most excellent seminary and consent to extend .In bessmgs by 
e uh^iiu.ionof .u equivalent donation. Nor ough, the .ntc- 
rests of the other colleges to be overlooked. The character ot 
Union College cannot be increased by any eu og.um Irom llm 
nia-e And the infant establishment of Hamilton r.s.ng mlo 
Usefulness and reputation with rapid strides under the guuiance 
of Itinguishcd ,nen, not only requires InU deserve, the boun y 
of the stTite. Having during the last year r.^commende<l 1o )our 
nalronase the Colleges of Physicians an<l S.irgeons and the so- 
ci.-tie. devoted to literature, f clence, an.l the arts I have o , y 
to sav that these institutions continue to merit by then- inoelati- 
gable activitv, well directed industry, and d.stmgu.she. k..ow- 
led-e, the high character then ascribed to Ihem and that, in 
evel-y respect, they are entitled to the public munificence. 

Amnn-Ihe mi.nerous and interesting objects which have ex- 
perie.u-ed the benevolence of individuals and the countenance of 
L government, it is pleacing to observe that the interests of the 
dur,ib an.l the insane have not been overlooked,-two unfortunate 
descriptions of our fellow creatures shut out Irom the l>!ess,ngs of 
social connnunion, and entille.l to our deepest p'^'V^^^'y' 

The li'.>e.;!l ^^rant of 10,000 dollars a year to the governors of 
the ^ew-Yo.•k Hospital has enabled them to erect a most spa- 
cious and accon.mo.;aling asylum for lunat.cs about .even m.les 
from the city, and on the island of New-York : An.l the appl.ca- 
rlf this^-un.l has been so judiciously <lirected by ,ts benevo- 
enl adn.inistrators, that the contemplated e.hfices a,id accomrno- 
dations will l)c completed d.jring the next season, and without the 
existence of anv del)t after the expiration of f.lteen year. 

In Ai.ril 1817, the New-York Institution for the Instruction 
of the Deaf and Dumb was incorporated, and it now contains 
Ihirty two persons in a state of rapid improvement, communicating 
ideas by signs and vocal sounds, and favoured wi.h able a..d ex- 
cellent ieachers, who, l,y a combination of the I- rench am. Eng- 
lish systems of tuition, conceived with singular ingenmty ami 
,^:^ec.ited with admirable felicity, have deserved well of the 

friends of humanity. .„ . , .i • • «^-«„f 

I cheri-h the fullest confuleDce that you will take th.3 interest- 
ing rstablishmrnt und.r your special protection, «"'\.;'^'''^ 5;°"; 
iminilkence will only be exceeded by its merits. A liberal po - 
lion of the school fund applicable to the city of New-.ork u 
one of the many mea.,s by which its exigencies may '"^^'-PPl'^ < • 
In ot*cnilin<' to the general interests ol the community, let m 



hot overlook the concerns of two unfortunate races of men, ivHo 
wih be forever iri^uhiteil from the grt'at l)oily oi the peoi)le, by 
uncoutroll!\ble circumstances, and who ought to receive our pro- 
tecliou and beuevolcuce. 1 refer to the iudian and Atrican po- 
pulation. 

The erratic and mii^ratory spirit, which niarkg the character 
of all savage nations, 'has been cherished in our Indians, by per- 
sons, either interested in renrioving them from their territory, or 
-who feel an anxiety to protect them from the contaminating and 
extirpating conti2;uily of a while population. On the other hand, 
this pro[)ensity has heeh counteracted by individuals, who either 
derive emolument from their continuance, or, wlio, governed by 
the purest benevoleuce, are anxious to bring them within the 
nale of civilization and Christianity. This collision has produced 
a state of continual uneasiness and agitation among this uufortu- 
nate people. As experience has almost uniformly demonstrated 
that their diminution in number asid recession from virtue, have 
been in proportion to their propinquity to a civilised people, 1 
have never ceased to believe that Iheir departure is essential to 
their preservation : But, in my Communications with them, I 
have thought it proper, until the sense of the le-islnture is ex- 
pressed, to abstain from urging this measure, leavmg it to their 
own volition, without pressing ui.on them the mflut^nce ol the 
governmeut, and assuring them that, in any alternative, they 
shall experience the favour and protection oi the state, and its 
best exertions for their happiness. 

Ik pursuance of a law of last session, I authorized measures to 
be taken for the erecliou of a church in the Ouei.la territory, 
which were gratuitously executed by two distinguished gentle- 
men of Oneida county, the first Christiau party ot Indians 
agreed to increase the sum of four thousand dollars heretoiore ap- 
Tiropriated by the second Christian party, by adding a thousand 
dollars from their annuity : And, both sections having alsou.nted 
in desi^^natin- the site of the edificor it is to be hoped,_ that the 
feuds which have heretofore separated them, will be extinguished 
by the mild influence and benign spirit of Christianity.^ 

I)urin«- the continuance of this people among us, it will cer- 
tainly be our duty to protect them against frauds and intrusions 
and to make such arrangements as may best promote their wel- 
fare In the partial sales, which freriuently take place ot their 
territory, it might be useful to reserve certain portions lor ad- 
vancing their irnprovement in the arts of civilized lile; audit 
niny essentially accommodate them if, in cases of emergency, 
particularly of s'carcity, the treasury were authorized to pay iheir 
annuities in advance. It is the opinion of many pious aud be- 
nevolent men, who have directed their attention to this subject, 
that the condition of the Indians might be immeasurably amelio- 
rated by the establishment of a board of commissioners, selected 
from the diSerent reli^iious societies, who have manitested an in- 
terest for their welfare, and with authority to take into considera- 
tion all matters relating to the Indians in this state,— to investi- 
gate their situation and wants,— to redress their grievances,-to, 
liffu-^e amnne them education, agriiulfure, morality andreligloti 



."tud lo recommend to llic Lcgulalure the adoption of sucb rrife^*' 
cures as shall be most couducive to the attainment of these desi- 
rable obj« els. 

Our code in ulalion to the African population has been ar- 
rajngfd vith a twolold view ; as a n-quirement ol humanity to 
prevent the scparaiion of near itlatiuns and their being conveyed 
in a slate ol slavery to distant land?, by prohibitiug the exporta- 
tion of slaves and servants : And, as a dictate of policy to pre- 
clude tile increase of an uuvvelcoine population, by interdicting 
their iinportatioii. A steady adherence to tliis system will, in 
course of time, havt; the intended effect : Ami it may be jiroper 
to ftrlify the existing provisions, on accounlof the arUul evasions 
which are practised lo procure the ex|)orlation of servants. The 
sirong propensrily of this race to congregate in our great towns, 
where they are peculiarly exposed to the contagion of bad exam- 
ple, and the degraded light in which they are contemplated by- 
public opinion, must not lead us to expect from them many exhi- 
bitions of extriordinary virtues or talents. It is due however to 
justice, to say, that the establishmtnt of schools and churches, for 
their benefit, under the auspices of benevolent nfien, have had a 
benign influence in the ini|»rovtmenf of their minds and their 
morals; and, it is believed, that the benevolence of the state will' 
never be withheld from the encouragement of such laudable un- 
dertakings. 

Although the militia code enacted at the last session is, in some 
instances liable to objections, and requires your correcting inter- 
position; yet, on the whole, it has been productive of salutary 
effects, lu order to accommodate, as far as practicable, our ar- 
rhngeroenf to the most approved system, I constituted two brig- 
ades into a division, and distriliuted the whole militia into twenty- 
five divisions, iociependenlly of these of artillery and cavalry. 
The generals of division, who were in many cases helore, mere 
nominal ollicers, on account of the extended sphere of their com- 
niand.s are now enabled, without essential sacrifices, to direct 
their atlenllon lo their duties, and by the exertion of their ex- 
perience Jind skill lo promote the knowledge of the military art. 
A dia|)osition to iini)rove in tactics and discipline has generally 
manifested itself duting the last year, in a manner and to an ex- 
itnt, which reflects honor on the militia. Fully i)ersuaded, that 
you justly appreciate this bulwark of national safety, and ihis |)al- 
ladiuu) of free stales, 1 consiiler it unnecessary to press the im- 
portJince of its encouragement. If the physical force of the state 
>tere properly instructed in the military art, it would form an 
inij)rpgn:;l.'Ie defence of the country ; and, 1 do not despair to see 
the iUTomplishniem of tliis desiralde object, by the establishment 
of military schools and by the exteusion of beneficial iramuiiities. 
An exeri![)iion from personal taxation, either wholly, or, to a 
limited jimount, in favor of those portions of militia, who uniform 
therntclves in l"al)rics of Americari manufacture, would, I am |)er- 
suarleil, induce the wliole body to array themselves in a military 
dre?s : And, by these means, that most useful class of the com- 
muniiy employed in manufaclures would be materially beripliHed- 
On the suljtct of the medical sta.Tof the militia, 1 shall direct tut- 



■ hP Vaid before you an able and luminous report from the distin^ 
^ «uished seatleman who presides over that iaiportant department, 
^ Theer^barrassments arising from the disordered state o our 
nirrencv have increased, instead ot diminishing, since 1 had the 
honour to address the legislature on this subject. The vast excess 
0?rper above metallic money, at least treble in amount -and 
fhe constant demand for the latter, have produced a state ol alarm 
and aox ieTy, and have created great distress, not only in the mer- 
^«nfHe -lies but in all the departments of productive industry. 
An un Inefficient preventives are adopted and suitable reme- 
dies applied, the evil will be in a state of progressive augmenta- 
? ion The supplies of the precious metals have decreased m con- 
seauence of the agitations in Spanish America, ami our me al ic 
mon vis continually diminishing by its conversion into articles 
of "uLy and accommodation and by vast exportations to Asia. 
OniheoLr hand, paper money is augmenting, by the improvi- 
den conduct of the governments, in the creation ol banking insti- 
futions for every new bank will increase the quantity ol paper 
iSoney/by a forced circulation of its notes. A proposition to in- 
vest bank^s with the power of coining money, would have no ad- 
Tocates and, yet it might not he so pernicious as he - hor iy^a - 
readv sranted of emitting bank notes:— tor, m the touner case^ 
aie money vvould have intrinsie value, and its emission would be 
mi?ed by the ability of the banks to procure the precious metals 
an^ in the other, its value would depend upon the mock m- 
tbi'ch these institutions were established and administered and 
Ii:rttr of their issues might be >heir ^Hity U. ohta. the^oi. 

?;ur"'qre r c;rdiaranT:;.e'getic co-operation of the people 
Ind their governments. If we return to the observance ol th t 
economy and simplicity most becoming the d.gm y ot reemen, 
we may confidently calculate upon being rescued Irom this u„en.. 
TilbTe situTtion. Having uniformly opposed the multM-l.cat.ou 
Tf bank I now only ex^r.ss opinions formed lor many years al^ 
t matreddLration, knd which are every day sanctioned by 
thP nroeress of time and the voice of experience. 

The s a e of oUr penitentiaries requires your serious eonsulera^ 

succeeded .«o her pUees and .y ^^^ ^^_^,^ ^^^^ ,^^ ^^. 

IZce and "l™,, e,rmind'and Ids p=..io„s „,._=. b. disc.p .ned 
Sc.ua,, ,U..nd,.^^^^^ 

suhjecled '? P"""";- J ;.;Xc online comh.c( ,.r oti.ers, it 

irrouMirnetTs: y i ., i .h.*\e certa-,,, a.d .hat i,. rea„.los 

hS be unq, 3ti 'uable. 0.. the ,nccD. nlan, th«e .b no clas- 



n 

siftcatiou of age or crime. Each apardnent h calcrlaJed hi. 
aljoul eighteen persons. All deaeri|){.ous ol convicts are crowded 
(ogelher vvilboui disliuction— the young and the old— the healthy 
and the unhealthy — the novice and the adejit in crime : and here 
the hardtMied oflVnder boasts of his vices, unfolds his expedients 
Hnd completely eradicates every remaining impression of recti- 
tude, hiich is the perversity of human nature that a man desti- 
tute of virtue will be vain of his vices , and, as a spirit of prose- 
Jytism prevails among the wickeil as well as the good, our (leni- 
lentiaries become schools of lerpiiude in which profligacy is incul- 
cated in its most odious forms and in all its terrible enormities. 

OU'enders having thus the amusements of society, being ex- 
empt from grievous privations and severe labor and entertaining 
a persuasion that the encrcasing influx iuio the [)rison must soon 
release them from confinement, view their [luui^hment without 
terror, and rcluru into society wilh corrupt piinci|)les, with de- 
praved feelings, and with every diij|)osition to renew their crimes. 
Hence we sonietinies see oflenders imprisoned ou a third convic- 
tion; and frequently, the day of their release by pardon, or ex|)i- 
ration ol sentence, witnesses their apprehension for now otrences. 

In consequence of the crouded state of the [jrisona, t'le execu- 
tive is reduced (o this dilemma, either to exercise the pardoning 
power to a |)ernicious extent, or to witness the destruction of the 
whole penitentiary system. He is also frequently deceived by 
misrepresentation; and pardons are sometimes granted to the 
v.-orst on the recomuundatiou of the best men in the community, 
Avho, in listening to their sympathy, lose sight of their patriotism, 
and who submit themselves to the iuflufoce of a ^ickly and fas- 
tidious humanity, which confines its view to the otJender, and 
does not perceive, in his punishment, the establishment of the ge- 
neral security. 

Another ctrect is inevitable. Instead of rendering labor pro- 
ductive, and maintaining the establishment without expense to 
the state, aj)[)roprialiou3 for its support are annually called for, 
and are in a state of constaat accumulation. 

In November last there were in the State Prison at New-York 
about 603 convicts, of whom 410 were convicted of grand larce- 
ny, and 8G lor offences relating to the counterfeiting and ut- 
tering bank notes. 

There were, at that time, in the Stale Prison at Auburn, about 
131 convicts, of whom 50 were confined for grand larceny, and 
'36 for counterfeiting and passing bank notes. 

The total numbi;v, in both prisons, was 734, and the offenders 
guilty of grand larceny, and cou[iterfeiting and uttering bank notes, 
were 582, leaving only 152 convicted of oiher crime?. 

As one main source of the evil is the inordinate numherof prison- 
ers, an efficacious remedy might be administered, by reducing the 
number of those contioed for grand larceny, and otfences agaiust 
banks. 

If solitary cells for the punishment of offenders below the <le- 
gree of grand larceny were established in the counties; and if 
stealing below the value of filty dollars, were considered petit lar- 
ceny only, it is believetl that our penitenfaries would be relieved 
from the ?reat crcud which destroys their usefulness. 



15 



ns the nialeriivia lor im pnq u. , , ,| .,jiu,ry.— 

Not>vitbslaiHl"ig thai sl"!""^. "'''',,=,,,:,, ,Ut llie CTunterfeil- 
ver„raent lu .upl.roB, ll,e cr.n,. t 'f « j'^ ' ;,'„ „„,„„ |,„i „f 

money a,,,l coyey U ,"' l;'»»';.\;'' .tSr'sener.Uy in .he vicl- 

='^„-jy'-:nar,rs;ara" .rJ aS^'ri..'e .a.. „/u= >o o,he» 



to pass. 



4lh. Utlerers of counlerfeit ""'"'■?• . „.„,,, ,„ be sub- 

As .hese crimes are o. .Ijffere. <="°™ f;,^;^: rerleilers, a„,l 

.„,,,e,orsot,he.,epos,|or,es,ve. .^^^^ 

rity, it is beUeveil that these oaemAb , , ^ j^-.^^ before 

1 sh.U cause the statute ol Lo«er Can da o ^^^.,5. 

,ou; and if a similar act wer^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ,.,,.,, 

i-i'e 9Ur!> arrin2;ements between uk iv%i^ & 

ff:c:u,ny er.sh .he evii in i.s lnc.nen. ^^^-■^„„,,„„„a „, ,„ 
„.„e.e„.ia| 'fj "^ ''-rVn tnltlnt in.,,ee.i„,.. _ Each 
g-,ih pct convicts to compieie '«!' ' j as in the Cay 

;irender shouM have a ,-[-^^!,;;;;f7,^;,ou and under the 
f,n.e, the prisoners would ^,^ f "Z';^'"^^^^^^^^ e.ch other, and 

eye of t!.e keepers P*''^^'^'"^ V Ti, iS^^^ punishment wouh! 

he in the nigh. S\me u. a stale ^^ /; ^^ f J ^vouUl pre- 

ho appalling, and c'-^'^-^.^.^^^^^ ',; \ fl-onr^ed, no riols or 
doniinate; and, as no conspiracies CA^ U = ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ 

insurrections would occur and no m. hta y g ,,,ecessa- 

quired. A muU,pl.ctty «? P^-^;^!^ 7^;;7^^^,, . ,„,1 ,he prerogative 
rV by the improved cond.hon ^ ^^^.^^^ jj.^h.j.j- rendering 
of mercy .night be l^f;^^^^^^Z^^nsLu after the adjourn- 
U the duty o! the *\'^'7'i^ ^^J.^'^^^'^./.-jed slatement of the case of 
n.ent of every cr.mu.al ^'-^"f -^ ;^^^^^^^^^^ 

every onvict to ^^^^^'^^^^^'^^^Z insurrection took place 
In the course o^9^^^\^^ ^^d ,t various times a refractory 
in ,he state pr.son ^^ ..^ ?;/;;, f^^^ discipline, destructive of 
spirit has been nianile.ted. '"J"^ °"; - , \^,y ends of the rs- 
Ihe public property, and ^" -'^ ; \^ ^ \, be crushed, by the 
taldishment. This dangerou sp t ou n ,„ 

infliction of -^-f^-y^";":T:^com"H.l obedience, in defiance 

be expressly ^'•"'-V V con ider n^t'^^ -'''j'^^'^' '''''' "''' 
of all consefptences. la c''".'''^' f j suggested as proper, 
several minor arrangements ^-' ^\ '^,^^;: 'i]; of the stafe pri- 
Incasenoeontr.ct can be ,"^ ''^^^J'^^^^^^,' "^Tlilcretionary power 
r,on, or. in case of <Ji^-'lV;«n ^"-^^"^^ ' J^' « ' ^^^^^3. ^^ 

for obtainins supplies ought to be a cs.ea m 



1^ 

autFiority has been given for disciplining (he ® ^,}^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ 
e<l to the stale prison in Ne.v-York. The inspectors of Ihe two 
penitentiaries hold their olfices under distinct authorities, and it 
is ditticult to discover any good reason for the discrepance. — 
When revising and perfecting this code, it would be advisable to 
cotnhine it in one statute. 

There is no question but that, if the laudable efforts of the so- 
cieties instituted in various parts of the country for the suppres- 
sion of vice and the promotion of morality, were enforced by 
additional and powerful sanctions, many of the crimes, which till 
our prisons with uidiappy oOenders, woidd not be perpetrated. 
In the resorts of gambling, drunkenness, and prostitution, we 
must look lor the sources of those crimes, whii-.h poison the peace 
of families, and violate the good order of society. 

The statutes, passed at the last session, for limiting the number 
of. magistrates, extending the jurisdiction of the inferior courte, 
and restraining abuses in the practice of the lavy, have been at- 
tended with salutary effects. And other important subjects will 
undoubtedly [)resent themselves, in the course of your delibera- 
tions, which may require your attention. Permit me to mention, 
at this time, the propriety of placing the jurisdiction of the courts 
of sessions in the counties, on the same footing as that of the city 
of New- York; — and also of altering the law on the subject of 
executors and administrators, by giving them time to arrange their 
trusts before the institution of suits; — by abrogating preferences, 
in the payment of debts; and by facilitating the proving and re- 
cording of wills, and the sales of real estates. 

After assuring you of my cordial co-operation in all your mea- 
sures for the public good, I shall only detain you from your im- 
portant duties, by informing you of my proceedings in the execu- 
tion of certain statutes, passed at the last session. I appointed a 
commissioner to examine the outlet of Buffalo creek, and to report 
en the site, plan, and expense of a commodious harbor for that 
important place. I have also made a similar arrangement in re- 
lation to Little Sodus Bay and Great Sodus Bay, on Lake Onta- 
rio. Commissioners hav« been associated with the Attorney 
<Seneral, to perform the duties assigned by the act relative to the 
claims on certain lands in the county of Putnam : And also, with 
the Surveyor General, to lay out the village of St. Regis, and to 
execute the other requirements of the act relating to the lands be- 
longing to the people of this state in the St. Regis reservation. 
An agent has been appointed under the act relative to the de- 
mands of this state against the United States, and he has been 
vigilantly and actively engaged in the performance of his trust, 
Mhich is now in a fair train of completion. The duties confided 
to me by the act, entitled " an act of honor to the memory of 
General Richard Mo7itgomcrt/'^ were ex*cute(| under a full con- 
viction, that every great example of heroic virtue ought to be 
chprifhed as an important acquisition to the honor and dignity of 
the human race. 

DE WJTT CLINTON 

Albmi/, 6th January, 1319. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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